1. What is Kinetic Energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It depends on both the mass of the object and its velocity, making it a fundamental concept in physics and engineering.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:

Where:

• \( KE \) — Kinetic energy (joules)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kilograms)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the object (meters per second)

Explanation: The formula shows that kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity, meaning doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy.

3. Importance of Kinetic Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating kinetic energy is essential for understanding energy conservation, vehicle safety design, sports science, and analyzing collisions in physics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the SI units for kinetic energy?
A: The SI unit for kinetic energy is joules (J), where 1 joule = 1 kg·m²/s².

Q2: How does mass affect kinetic energy?
A: Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass - doubling the mass doubles the kinetic energy (assuming constant velocity).

Q3: Why is velocity squared in the formula?
A: Velocity is squared because kinetic energy depends on the square of velocity, making speed the most significant factor in determining kinetic energy.

Q4: Can kinetic energy be negative?
A: No, kinetic energy is always positive or zero since both mass and velocity squared are non-negative quantities.

Q5: What's the difference between kinetic and potential energy?
A: Kinetic energy is energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy due to position or configuration.